Guest Post: Get Out Of Your Breakup Funk with Omega 3 Fatty Acids

This is a guest post from The Versatile Health guys. Check them out at http://www.versatilehealth.com.

So, you’re going through a breakup and it’s getting to be somewhat overwhelming – sound familiar? Well, I hope you’re at least able to keep your cool and cope with everything in a fairly normal fashion. I know it’s tough, but please know that you’re not alone in this arduous struggle for sanity. Many of us have been there and know how hard it can b

As we all know, breakups can be rough – I know from personal experience as well. I hate to say it, but I have become quite accustomed to this ‘down and out’ feeling in the past – definitely not fun! Yet, even through all of the pain, all of the sadness, I was able to implement some pretty awesome ‘tips and tricks’ to help my slightly depressive state at the time. So grab that note pad and pen because I’m about to hook you up with some great information on how to deal with all that!

Omega 3 Fatty Acids For Mental Stability:

So why omega 3? And what is this stuff anyway? Good questions and I’m going to list them right now. Our ‘omega 3 fatty acid facts’ are as follows:

• They’re found in fish oil (like that of Krill and Cod).

• Studies prove that those who supplement with fish oil can actually cure their depression. I swear this is 100% the truth. Hit us up if you want access to the studies we came across.

• Fish oil is high in DHA and EPA – two fatty acids that are vital for mental and physical health.

• DHA is a vital component of cell membrane and neurological health.

• Omega 3 fatty acids can influence one’s mood and overall behavior.

Do these facts sound important? I’d say so! With omega 3 fatty acids, are other fats, which are also vital for mental well-being. What’s crazy is that most people are WAY under their adequate omega 3 levels! This needs to change if you want to feel better.

Look, we all know depression is horrible – no big surprise there. What we’re trying to do is allow people to explore different avenues when treating this disease (yes, I said disease). Because the truth is that options are out there! And luckily for you, we have your back 100%.

So these are our fatty facts. We’ve literally just touched the surface on this subject so if you have any further questions, feel free to hit us up! We literally have dozens more tips so don’t hesitate to ask us anything, we’re only here to help. Even if you just want to say ‘hi,’ we’re here for you!

Once again, I just scratched the surface here, If you want more information, feel free to click this link! Here, you’ll be able to download our FREE eBooks and bonus video so you can get your health and life in check ASAP! If you’re going through a break up, or are just trying to feel better overall, our products will help. And the best part is that they’re all FREE! But only for a limited time so don’t miss out!

Thank you so much for checking out this post! We truly hope this breakup of yours is something you can overcome and conquer with ease. If you take what we have talked about today and start implementing it ASAP, you WILL feel a dramatic difference – science proves it to be true. So experiment with yourself and let us know how it went.

Stay up and stay healthy. Much love.

-       Joey and Chris (The Versatile Health guys)

www.versatilehealth.com

 

Brokenheartedgirl.com does not necessarily endorse the products and services listed in the blog above. However, we have checked into it and Omega 3 Fatty Acids will definitely help with mood & overall behavior.

New Year’s Resolutions; just a little bit late!

I woke up this morning at my sister’s house and, despite the cold, I climbed up to the roof deck and took in the breathtaking view of the Prudential, the John Hancock building and the rest of Boston that you can see from the South End. I woke up this morning and realized that I am kind of unhappy. I am not depressed, but I realized that I didn’t make a plan for this year. I have been going to the gym forever, so losing weight is not the problem. I am fulfilled career-wise, so that is not the problem, but I realize that I haven’t made personal goals for this year. I think if I did make them, that I’d feel like I had purpose – that I might feel a sense of accomplishment. And then I thought, should my goals going to surround the fact that I’d like love and romance in 2010? Is this the year I will meet THE GUY? But then I thought – last year, I thought I had met THE GUY, and that turned out to be complete bunk. So why depend on that for my happiness?

So I won’t.

This year I am making a list. It’s going to be about getting more motivated, waking up earlier, making X amount of money this year (I am a freelancer, so I am the master of my income, which can be trying at times), and I am going to eat better. McDonald’s is great, but I need to curb the amount of times I resort to fast food instead of cooking a nice steak and some vegetables in my own kitchen.

So to all of those broken hearted men and women out there who have resolved to find love in 2010, I say just focus on making yourself happy. Love will definitely show up when it’s ready to rear it’s beautiful head. Until then, let’s all be happy in our own skin and keep moving forward, shall we?

Why it’s important to keep your ex’s stuff for awhile before you give it back…

I broke up with my boyfriend of a year a couple of weeks ago. It has been a tough transition because I really didn’t want to break up with him…but I had to for my own good. If any of you have been in this situation, I’m sure you can understand. I really wanted to stay and work it out, but the more I tried, the less appealing working it out became.

Anyway, I have all of his stuff in a bag in my room and I thought that I’d just keep it until he decided he needed to pick it up, or until I decided to get in my car and drop it off at his place. I’m not ready to see him just yet, so it sits in my closet until that day arrives.

So today I grabbed my deodorant from the medicine cabinet and it ended up falling on the ground, spraying little white deodorant bits and pieces all over the floor. Irritated, I stared at the floor, wondering what my next plan of action would be. I was late for work as usual, so stopping at the store was not an option. And, I mean, I wasn’t about to go to work without deodorant!

And then I remembered! My ex left some deodorant over my place….so I dug around the bag…and sure enough, there it was! So I opened it, twisted the cap and lathered my pits in the cold jelly that is men’s deodorant. While I was waiting for the goopy jelly to dry (so different than my speed stick deodorant) I realized that I would end up smelling like him all day! What an idiot I am. So I started to grow sad…but then something happened. Before I could even begin to cry, I just started laughing. Seriously – the situation was so stupid that it was funny.

And so this morning, I laughed really hard for the first time in weeks – and it was all because I left my ex’s stuff in my closet instead of immediately returning it. And you know what, the smell has worn off like 8 hours later!

Will I return it soon? Maybe. I’ll let you know what happens!

Trips to Heal a Broken Heart

If you’ve ever been dumped before, then no doubt someone has advised you that “it takes time to mend a broken heart.” You probably think that’s trite, but it’s actually true. It takes time to repair a broken heart and it’s what you do in that time that will cause you to come out of this ordeal a bitter person or a better person. So you can spend all your time lying in bed, whining about your ex, or you can spend your time doing something constructive – like traveling! Hey, the term “travel therapy,” didn’t just fall out of the sky. It was coined for good reason:

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca

Whether it’s a road trip or a Spring Break Trip with StudentCity.com, travel will take you out of your current environment and help you “get your mind right.” When you make the choice to get away from it all, you will be too busy to:

• Spend your time waiting for the phone to ring 
• Constantly check your cell phone for text messages
• Obsessively check your IM, Email, or Facebook page for messages from your ex
• Make a fool out of yourself by calling, IM-ing, texting, or showing up at his house

In short, a quick vacation with your friends will help you jumpstart your healing process because, for a short time at least, you will cut all contact with your ex. Additional benefits:

• You will reduce your anxiety level because you won’t have to worry about running into your ex
• You will nurture those friendships that you may have neglected when you were part of a couple
• You will meet new and interesting people
• You will create new memories that have nothing to do with your ex

So if you (or a friend) have been dumped, go on a quick vacation to get away from it all. A new environment will help you clear your mind and will kick start your healing process. Then, when you return from vacation, write in a diary, or get a guided journal like The Breakup Workbook and join an online support group (like the one at BrokenHeartedGirl.com) to help you continue to get over your ex in a healthy manner.

Stop anxiety from stealing your sleep

From EverydayHealth.com, here are some tips to get to sleep, even if you’re feeling anxious.

Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep
Most people with anxiety disorders also have trouble sleeping. Treating the disorder usually improves sleep, but in the meantime, there are other things you can do:
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

Use the bed only for sleeping and sex.

Forgo naps, especially close to bedtime.

Limit the time you spend in bed. Turn in only when you’re sleepy. If you don’t fall asleep within 15 minutes or if you wake up and can’t fall back to sleep within that amount of time, get out of bed and do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.

Avoid caffeine (found in coffee, many teas, chocolate, and cola) after 2 p.m., or noon if you are caffeine-sensitive. You may need to avoid caffeine entirely if you have panic attacks.

Avoid eating foods that contribute to heartburn.

Don’t drink alcohol for at least 2 hours before bedtime.

Limit fluids before bedtime to minimize nighttime trips to the bathroom.

Stop smoking, or at least do not smoke for 1–2 hours before turning in for the night.

Exercise regularly, but not too close to bedtime. An afternoon workout is ideal.

Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and as quiet as possible.

Replace a worn-out or uncomfortable mattress.

Take a hot bath before bedtime.

Use relaxation techniques before bedtime.

Recognize Holiday Depression

Dear Broken Hearted Girl,

A lot of you have written me recently about holiday depression. I found an article that talks about recognizing depression. The most important item in this article is the advice: reach out to someone (even if just by telephone) to help quell the blues.

Feel better!

-MJ

Christmas Depression
http://www.professorshouse.com/family/holidays/christmas-depression.aspx

Christmas time is the most likely time of the year to experience depression. The suicide rate is higher during December than any other month, which tells us that Christmas depression should be taken quite seriously. Depression at Christmas time can be triggered by a multitude of things, such as losses, failures, and loneliness. These elements are exacerbated this time of year. People who have had deaths in the family or have experienced divorce or the loss of a child are more prone to depression, especially during the holiday season.

It can be especially difficult to cope with a Christmas depression because everyone else seems so joyous, so reaching out feels more awkward and more remote. We don’t want to bring down those around us, we don’t want to feel “different” or alienate ourselves, and we don’t want to draw attention to ourselves either. We tend to disassociate ourselves from our own feelings and ask ourselves self defeating questions. We wonder what’s wrong with us and why we can’t just jump right on into the holiday cheer. This is supposed to be the happiest time of the year and yet we can barely drag ourselves out of bed and become functional human beings. On top of feeling sad and dysfunctional, we feel out of place, and somehow illegitimate in our feelings.

Not all holiday depression has anything to do with loss or failure or death, or even anything obvious. Sometimes people tend to just get depressed around the holidays. Yet those without an obvious “reason” feel that they really shouldn’t be depressed and are least likely to reach out for help. It’s as though people who have experienced trauma have more of a “right” to experience holiday depression than those who appear to have everything that could need or want.

People fail to recognize that holidays are stressful enough to trigger a depression. Sometimes the hustle and bustle and the need to produce (food, presents, parties, and the lot) are enough to seriously frustrate a person right into a depression. Feeling disconnected with the holidays can easily lead to a mild to moderate depression.

Whether dealing with a loss or change or simply feeling overwhelmed by holiday sadness, the number one most important thing anyone can do is to tell someone. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Over the past ten years there has been a great awakening, so to speak, that has illuminated the issue of Christmas depression. People have become more educated and more understanding about the phenomenon and often already know that someone they love is suffering from depression before there is any actual confession.

If you are alone at Christmastime and you realize that you are coming down with holiday depression, reach out to someone by phone, whether it is a friend, a relative, or a professional, just call someone. This is so important. There is nothing to be ashamed of and there are plenty of people willing and able to assist you. A bad moment (even a really long one that last several weeks) does not have to ruin a future. Unfortunately people who find themselves depressed and do nothing about it are prone to staying depressed. Depression can interfere with job performance, friendships, romantic relationships, parenting ability, self care, and even the ability to take care of the dog. It can lead to losses of these very important things if the depression becomes serious enough.

The onset of Christmas depression can sneak up on you in numerous forms. You may simply start to feel more tired than normal or start sleeping through the alarm. You may procrastinate on holiday shopping, even when those events that require your participation are only a few days away. You may start to feel randomly irritable, or snap at people without provocation. You may start to feel disconnected with the world and withdraw from those around you, even children. These are all signs that you are experiencing at least some form of holiday depression, and warning signs that you may need help in dealing with whatever is making you feel this way.

Dealing with a holiday depression once you are able to recognize it is a vital step in returning to a better state of health. Naturally, my first recommendation is that you find a good counselor to speak with. The onset of holiday depression doesn’t have to mean that you require long term counseling or even medication. It may just mean you have to learn to set better boundaries or learn to let go of the past or learn better coping skills when it comes to dealing with a tragedy. Nothing that you are experiencing is so terribly abnormal, and no one is going to react terribly to you if you ask for help.

A good counselor can help you learn to set “holiday boundaries” while you are coping with holiday depression. “Holiday boundaries” include things like limiting the number of holiday party invitations you and your family accept, scaling down Christmas to a level that feels more reasonable to everyone, asking for help in the Christmas preparations, and perhaps dealing a little differently with the specific tasks that tend to depress you more. If wrapping presents creates a huge sadness in you because it triggers and emotion or a memory, then perhaps you can get a significant other, an older child, or another relative to help you so that you don’t have to wrap nearly as many. Sometimes just doing it with someone is enough to help keep your depression away.

A Christmas depression is usually more than just a simple case of the holiday blues, and it really should be treated with more respect than that. It is better to go to a counselor and have them tell you that you just have the “blues” and it will pass than to sit on a serious depression and slowly watch your world around you disassemble. A holiday depression requires attention, especially one that develops annually. While it may seem logical to believe that because it happens every year that it will just keep leaving every year isn’t logic that should be counted on when help is so readily available.

How High is Your Stress Level?

Dear Broken Hearted Girl,

Here’s a quick quiz to help you get a pulse on your current stress level.

Sometimes it’s fun to get an “unreality” check about your mental health – like doing the Cosmo quiz. This site, however, offers great advice at the end of the quiz with tips to reduce stress.

http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=203&surveyID=117&WT.mc_id=NL44

Feel better!

-MJ

Release Emotional Toxins

Dear Broken Hearted Girl,

When you’re feeling as if your emotions have taken a hold of your entire life, you need to find a way to release them. Exercise, journaling, therapy, etc., are all great ways of release.

Here, Deepak Chopra outlines his advice for releasing emotional toxins. Check it out!

http://health.yahoo.com/mentalhealth-videos/deepak-chopra-on-releasing-emotional-toxins/lime–DCEMOTOX.html;_ylt=Av7O8Z249CJqF_6piW97CEbqZYt4

Feel better!

MJ

Searching for a Therapist?

Dear Broken Hearted Girl,

If you’re seeking a therapist, but do not know where to start, here are some steps you can take to begin your search responsible:

-Ask your family practice physician for a referrral. Who knows you better than your doctor?

-Speak with a trusted family member or friend about their experience with therapists. Is there one in particular that they can recommend based on their experience?

-Check online. There are many sites out there that can help you begin your search. Find a therapist near you by using this link:

http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/waterfrontmedia/prof_search.php

Feel better!

MJ

Strengthen Your Social Circles

Dear Broken Hearted Girl,

During the holidays, it’s easy to feel vulnerable and alone when you are without a significant other. Instead of waiting for your friends to call, why not call them? Or better yet – make new friends!

Expanding your social network is a great way to keep busy AND a great way to do something good for others. Here are some ideas from emotionalhealth.com:

Explore some of the many volunteer opportunities available, from wielding tools to spruce up affordable housing to mentoring a child or business-person. Check with http://www.volunteermatch.org or http://www.seniorcorps.org or call your local chapter of the United Way for opportunities that fit your talents and interests.

Harness the warmer side of technology. E-mail and telephones extend your reach around the world. Libraries and senior centers may offer free online time and may even help you set up a free e-mail account.

Find like-minded people through intriguing classes, organizations, and your community newspaper.

If it’s hard to get to religious services, ask fellow congregants to escort you. If a significant illness keeps you away, find out if your spiritual leader makes home visits.

Social support is a two-way street. Offer assistance to friends, family, and neighbors and accept it when it’s offered to you.
Share a confidence. Doing so can turn a friendly relationship into an even deeper one.

If depression, low self-esteem, or social phobias affect your ability to make connections, seek help. Start by talking with your doctor. Many people have been aided by therapy, medications, or both.

If you normally wait for others to reach out, pick up the phone and propose a date.

Feel better!

-MJ